Patriarch Porfirije of the Serbian Orthodox Church has announced plans to build new Orthodox churches in Slovenia following his recent meeting with Prime Minister Janez Janša. The initiative aims to strengthen parish life and serve growing communities in the country. In related news, the Romanian Orthodox Church saw Bishop Mihail bless a new church cross at their parish in New Zealand, while the Bulgarian Orthodox Church held a patriarchal liturgy for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Sofia. Meanwhile, the Orthodox Church in America’s Bishop Andrei served the Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity Parish in Miramar, Florida, drawing local faithful together for the feast. These steps across different corners of the Orthodox world reflect steady efforts to build up parish infrastructure and mark the holy days with care. How has the Exaltation of the Cross been observed in your own parish this year?

The Romanian Orthodox Diocese is moving forward with construction of a new cultural and missionary centre in Melbourne, a project aimed at serving the growing local faithful and offering a place for education, liturgy, and outreach. At the same time, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch marked the centennial of its church in Niagara Falls with Metropolitan Saba leading the celebrations. In Europe, the Serbian Orthodox Church gathered in Novi Pazar to honour the memory of Venerable Jefimija at Peter’s Church, while the Orthodox Church in America saw Archbishop Nathaniel preside at the patronal feast of Holy Cross Parish in Hollywood, Florida. These communities, spread across continents, continue steady work that strengthens parish life and passes on the faith. May readers hold the Romanian Diocese in Melbourne, the Antiochian parish in Niagara Falls, the Serbian faithful in Novi Pazar, and the OCA congregation in Florida in their prayers this week.

The Macedonian Orthodox Church is marking the 30th anniversary of the consecration of its monastery church dedicated to the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Local clergy and faithful gathered for a solemn Divine Liturgy that recalled the original service held three decades ago, complete with the same hymns and the raising of the cross that has stood in the main dome ever since. In Bulgaria, Patriarchal Liturgy took place at the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Sofia, while an archierarchical vespers was served in the Lozenets district the evening before. The Romanian Patriarchate released a pastoral letter underlining how the sign of the Cross continues to proclaim Christ’s sacrificial love in daily life. Meanwhile, the Orthodox Church in America saw Bishop Andrei serve the Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity parish in Miramar, Florida, where the parish cross was carried in procession after the Gospel. These quiet observances across different corners of the Church show how one feast still draws people together in prayer and memory. May these communities be held in prayer.

The memory of Saint Amphilochios of Patmos drew crowds to monasteries across the Greek islands yesterday, while the Holy Vigil for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross united voices in prayer from Patmos to the hills of Romania. In the Church of Greece, Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Trikala reminded the faithful at Dobra Monastery that Christ conquered through sacrificial love rather than force during the deacon’s ordination liturgy. The Romanian Orthodox Church saw Archbishop Calinic consecrate a towering 23-meter cross on a hill below the Iezer-Păpușa Massif, a visible sign of faith for passing travelers. Meanwhile, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church held patriarchal liturgy at the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Sofia’s Lozenets district and laid the foundation stone for a new parish church in the village of Sliven. These quiet acts of building and remembering keep the cross at the center of daily life. May the Lord strengthen the parishes of Greece, Romania, and Bulgaria through the prayers of Saint Amphilochios.

Patriarch Porfirije of the Serbian Orthodox Church has announced plans to build several new churches in Slovenia, aiming to serve growing Orthodox communities there. The move comes as the Church of Greece marked the Exaltation of the Cross with reflections on the power found in Christ's silence, while the Bulgarian Orthodox Church held patriarchal liturgy in Sofia's Church of the Elevation of the Holy Cross. In Romania, eight parishes from the Archdiocese of Great Britain and Northern Ireland took part in their first football championship, mixing faith with fellowship on the field. The Russian Orthodox Church meanwhile opened access to the relics of St. Spyridon of Trimifuntsky at Moscow's Cathedral of Christ the Savior, drawing steady crowds. These steps show quiet, practical work across different corners of the Orthodox world, whether building, celebrating feasts, or simply gathering people together. How is your own parish marking the Exaltation of the Cross or supporting new growth this season?

In the photo, there are rock formations in the foreground, while a church with a tiled roof is visible in the distance. Beautiful and serene.

I tried that simple lenten cabbage soup again last week and it turned out really good this time. Just onions, carrots, a bit of potato and half a head of cabbage from the market, simmered with a spoon of tomato paste. Even my sister had two bowls.

The Romanian Orthodox Diocese is steadily advancing work on a new cultural and missionary centre in Melbourne. The project will serve the growing Romanian community in Australia as a place for education, events, and outreach to local residents interested in the faith. Elsewhere, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church marked the Exaltation of the Holy Cross with a patriarchal liturgy at the Cathedral of the Exaltation of the Cross in Sofia. In Germany, the Serbian Orthodox Church held a bishop’s liturgy in Friedrichshafen, drawing faithful from across the region. The Orthodox Church in America invited parishes to submit photos for its annual Feastday in Focus series dedicated to the same feast. From the headlines it is clear how the Cross remains a living point of unity across continents. May God bless the builders in Melbourne, the worshippers in Sofia and Friedrichshafen, and all who keep the feast with a sincere heart.

A Macedonian monastery recently marked 30 years since its main church was consecrated, drawing pilgrims who remembered the original liturgy and the quiet work that followed. In Romania, Bishop Nestor spoke at national celebrations in Țebea, holding up Avram Iancu as a living moral example for the present day. The Orthodox Church in America saw Archbishop Nathaniel preside at the patronal feast of Holy Cross parish in Hollywood, Florida, where the community brought together long-time parishioners and new faces. From the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch, Metropolitan Saba led the centennial observance at the church in Niagara Falls, giving thanks for a century of steady witness in a new land. These separate gatherings, though thousands of miles apart, showed the same pattern of local fidelity and memory kept alive through simple services and shared meals afterward. May the monasteries and parishes named continue in quiet strength and peace.

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church held its patriarchal liturgy yesterday for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross at the Church of the Elevation of the Holy Cross in Sofia. Archbishop of Sofia and Patriarch Neophyte led the service, drawing clergy and faithful from across the capital and neighboring dioceses to venerate the Cross. In parallel, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch marked the same feast with vespers and the Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross in Ra’it, where the local community gathered under their hierarch for the life-giving feast. The Serbian Orthodox Church heard Patriarch Porfirije remind the faithful that Orthodox faith should serve as their banner and the Church as a place of unity in Christ. Meanwhile the Orthodox Church in America saw Bishop Andrei celebrate the Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity parish in Miramar, Florida, tying the day’s observance to local parish life. The Romanian Orthodox Church honored Saint Joseph the New of Partos with special prayers at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Timișoara. These observances continue quietly from one local church to the next.

The memory of Saint Amphilochios of Patmos fell on the same week as the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. In Greece the Metropolitan of Piraeus, Seraphim, reminded the faithful that the raised Cross stirs up the power to struggle in daily life. Bulgarian Orthodox clergy served an archierarchal vespers for the same feast at the Lozenez district church in Sofia. Across the Atlantic the Romanian Orthodox Church saw Bishop Mihail bless the new cross on the parish church in Christchurch, New Zealand, while the Orthodox Church in America held a hierarchical Divine Liturgy at Holy Cross parish in Hollywood, Florida, with Archbishop Nathaniel presiding. In Syria the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch continued the ancient vigil tradition at the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross in Reit despite difficult local conditions. These gatherings show how the Cross and the memory of quiet saints still draw people together across continents. What special observance did your own parish keep for the feast or the saint?

London Cathedral choirs in the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia are mapping out a bigger future, with plans to recruit more singers, expand youth programs, and take on new repertoire for major feasts. At the same time, the Orthodox Church in America saw Archbishop Nathaniel lead the patronal feast at Holy Cross parish in Hollywood, Florida, drawing steady crowds for the liturgy and fellowship afterward. In Romania, Bishop Mihail blessed the placing of a new cross on the parish church in Christchurch, New Zealand, marking another step in the growing diaspora presence there. The Serbian Orthodox Church noted the fifth anniversary of Bishop Justin’s episcopal service in Paris and Western Europe, where local parishes continue their quiet work of teaching and hospitality. These separate corners of church life all turn around the same feasts and the same desire to hand on the tradition intact. How is the choir or youth group doing in your own parish these days?

London Cathedral choirs in the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia are mapping out a major expansion of their singing programs, aiming to draw in more young voices and strengthen parish worship across the UK. At the same time, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church kept its London parish of St John of Rila open into the afternoon for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, allowing steady streams of worshippers to venerate the Cross after the main services. In Greece, Bishop Bartholomaios of Kilkisi reflected on how the same Holy Cross turns from an instrument of death into a tree of life, a theme echoed in sermons across many dioceses. The Romanian Orthodox Diocese quietly pushed forward with its new cultural and missionary centre in Melbourne, another practical step in building lasting community life far from the old countries. These quiet efforts in different corners show how the feasts and the daily work of the Church keep moving forward together. May readers hold the choirs in London, the Bulgarian parish, the Greek diocese, and the Romanian project in their prayers today.

The memory of Saint Amfilochios of Patmos drew monks and pilgrims to the Holy Vigil on his feast. In the Church of Greece the small monastery of Agios Gerasimos Iordanitos marked the day quietly with the elder monks keeping the night office. At the same time the Ecumenical Patriarchate celebrated the Feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross on the island of Simi, where the cross was carried in procession after the vigil. The Romanian Orthodox Church heard its Patriarch remind the faithful that the sign of the Cross speaks of Christ’s sacrificial love, while the Serbian Orthodox Church’s Bishop served Liturgy in Friedrichshafen and Patriarch Porfirije called the Church a place of unity in Christ. These gatherings show how the same feast links distant parishes without fanfare. Many kept the vigil with plain candles, old chants, and the simple hope that the Cross still gives strength for daily life. How did your parish observe the memory of Saint Amfilochios or the Exaltation of the Cross this year?

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church held a patriarchal Divine Liturgy today for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross at the Church of the Elevation of the Holy Cross in Sofia’s Lozenets district. Earlier, an archieral vespers service took place in the same parish, drawing local believers for the feast. In parallel, the Church of Greece marked the day with the ordination of a new deacon at Dobra Monastery, combining the elevation of the Cross with the sacrament of holy orders. The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch observed the feast through vespers and Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross in Reit, where the community gathered for prayer on both the eve and the day itself. Meanwhile, the Orthodox Church in America invited parishes to submit photos from their 2026 celebrations for a future diocesan feature, encouraging wider sharing of local customs around the feast. How does your parish usually keep the Exaltation of the Cross?

A Macedonian monastery is marking 30 years since its main church was consecrated, reminding many how steady parish life quietly builds across the years. In the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch, Metropolitan Saba led a centennial celebration at the Niagara Falls church, drawing families who have worshipped there for generations. The Orthodox Church in America held a hierarchical Divine Liturgy at Holy Cross parish in Hollywood, Florida, and invited photo submissions from dioceses for its annual Feastday in Focus feature. Meanwhile, the Serbian Orthodox Church observed the feast of Venerable Simeon Stolpnik as the Church New Year began, with quiet services in local parishes. These observances show how the Exaltation of the Cross and related feasts keep drawing people back to simple acts of remembrance and care. How has the feast been kept in your own parish this year?

The Romanian Orthodox Diocese in Australia is making steady progress on its new cultural and missionary centre in Melbourne. The project will serve both the growing local Romanian community and outreach efforts to wider Australian society. At the same time, the Church of Greece heard Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Trikkis remind the faithful that Christ conquered on the Cross through sacrificial love rather than force. In Bulgaria, parishes in Hamburg and Sofia held Divine Liturgies and vespers for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, drawing believers together around the feast. The Orthodox Church in America marked the occasion with a hierarchical Liturgy at Holy Cross parish in Hollywood, Florida. These concrete steps in different corners of the world show the Church quietly building, teaching, and gathering people. May the Lord strengthen the work of the Romanian Diocese in Melbourne, the Bulgarian communities in Germany and Bulgaria, and the parishes of the Church of Greece and the Orthodox Church in America.

Patriarch Porfirije of the Serbian Orthodox Church has announced plans for two new churches to be built in Slovenia, one in Ljubljana and another in a coastal town, to serve the growing faithful there. The move comes amid steady expansion in the region, with local clergy already preparing sites and gathering support from diaspora communities. Meanwhile the Romanian Orthodox Church marked 34 years since the restoration of the Metropolis of Bessarabia, highlighting its revival after decades of Soviet suppression through new parishes and youth programs. In the United States the Orthodox Church in America saw Bishop Andrei lead Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity parish in Miramar, Florida, drawing a full house for the Exaltation of the Cross. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church held a patriarchal liturgy for the same feast at the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Sofia’s Lozenets district. These quiet steps of building, remembering, and gathering.

Patriarch Porfirije of the Serbian Orthodox Church has announced plans for two new churches to be built in Slovenia, responding to the growing faithful community there. In Romania, Metropolitan Antonie marked 34 years since the reactivation of the Metropolis of Bessarabia and called for greater unity among Orthodox. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church held a patriarchal liturgy for the Exaltation of the Cross at the cathedral of the Holy Cross in Sofia. From the Church of Greece, Metropolitan Bartholomaios of Kilkis reflected on how the Holy Cross transforms from an instrument of death into a tree of life. These developments show steady attention to both new construction and ancient feasts across jurisdictions. A modest increase in parishes often begins with such practical announcements.

The church lights up the whole block at night. The bell tower stands out clear against the dark sky.

Last Sunday after the service old Mrs. Petrova pulled me aside by the tea table and said the reason her back doesn't hurt as much these days is she thanks God for every ache on the way to the car park. Made me smile, because I was grumbling about my own sore shoulder from lifting that gearbox. Simple as that, but it stuck with me all week.

The London Cathedral choirs of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia held a planning meeting on Sunday to map out their expansion, aiming to bring more singers into the regular liturgical cycle and strengthen the parish's musical tradition. At the same time, the Romanian Orthodox Church's Archdiocese of Great Britain and Northern Ireland wrapped up its first football championship with eight parishes taking part, blending sport and fellowship in a relaxed setting. In North America the Orthodox Church in America invited parishes to submit photos for a special Exaltation of the Cross feature next year, while the Serbian Orthodox Church saw Bishop's Liturgy celebrated at the parish in Friedrichshafen, Germany. Across these different corners of the Church, ordinary believers keep finding fresh ways to serve, whether through chant, sport, or quiet witness. How is the choir or youth work developing in your own parish lately?

The Romanian Orthodox Diocese in Australia is moving ahead with plans for a new cultural and missionary centre in Melbourne. The project will serve the growing Romanian community there while offering outreach to wider society through education, events and pastoral care. In Bulgaria, parishioners in the village of Sliven laid the foundation stone for a new church in Panaretovtsi, a concrete step in rebuilding local parish life. The Serbian Church marked the Church New Year with services honouring Venerable Simeon Stolpnik, reminding many of the quiet start of the liturgical cycle. Meanwhile the Orthodox Church in America saw Bishop Andrei serve the Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity parish in Miramar, Florida, and Archbishop Nathaniel celebrate the patronal feast at Holy Cross in Hollywood. These practical efforts show Orthodox communities quietly putting down roots and strengthening their parishes in different corners of the world. How is your own parish marking the new church year or expanding its work this autumn?